Do doctors prescribe natural anti-depressants?
I'm going to the doctor tomorrow and I'm going to get put on anti-depressants.. I don't really want to be put on the ones like zoloft and what not.. I had a horrible time on zoloft when i was younger.. I found myself being suicidal.. soo don't wanna go through that again.. but my mood swings have been horrible the past year.. I've been crying and yelling and sometimes kicking things when I get angry.. I read about the natural anti-depressants and I am quite intrigued. So as for my question.. Do you know if doctors prescribe the natural anti-depressants? I'm asking because I nor my mom really have the money to go buying expensive medications.. I have medicaid for insurance.. x.x .. so yeah.. Also if anyone knows the different types of natural anti-depressants please leave a list as well. O: that would be nice.
Comments
I assume we're discussing clinical depression?
Some MDs who are *very* current with the latest literature may prescribe fish oil. Recently, a few major studies have been published that suggest fish oil (more specifically EPA and DHA, specific omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils) may be as effective as pharmaceutical antidepressants.
Therapeutic dose for depression/anxiety is between 3000 and 6000mg daily. And happily, there are no negative side effects for fish oil (unless low blood pressure is a problem or there's a clotting disorder.)
There are other natural options that are very effective, but it's highly unlikely the average MD will be aware of herbal options. Your friendly neighborhood licensed naturopathic doctor would, though!
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Gary, sure I'll jump start your research for you. It's late, and I am not particularly inclined to perform an exhaustive lit search for you, but here are a few to get you going...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20668435 (suggests possible MOA)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21151517
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20439549
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21267525
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20713476
No, because "natural" antidepressants do not exist.
Anyone who tells you that depression can be treated or cured by such trivial fare as Vitamin D3, or "fresh fruits & veggies lol" is either severely uninformed or lying outright. Real medical treatment involves real investment of time, money and effort. Side effects are also part of the process, as there is no such thing as a free lunch. There's a word for treatments that don't cause side effects: placebo.
Doctors are only going to give you prescription meds. Anti-depressants are the worst thing you can do. When they released the clinical trials for Prozac the results were that is was about as effective as placebo...and they still released it! There are plenty of things you can do to take care of yourself that don't involve taking a pill. Watch what you put into your body. Stick to fresh fruits and veggies, lean meats and fish. Avoid anything that doesn't come wrapped in its own natural package. This alone can make you feel lots better. Check the internet for natural ways to treat yourself. Sometimes just knowing that you are taking the time and effort to heal yourself can make you feel tons better. And do some silly self talk..."I am wonderful, everyone is happier when I am around, today I can handle anything, nothing is gonna piss me off today cause its not worth my time to be annoyed by petty things, I am important" etc, etc. Sounds silly but it feels good to have someone say something good to you, even if its yourself! Good luck!
The cheapest, most available natural anti-depressant is vitamin D3. Check out the info. at Mercola.com and Natural News. This has solved the problem for TONS of people.
Anti-depressant medications were never actually developed for that purpose -- they've been prescribed on some wacky theory for years and they don't work. They DO induce suicide though.
I don't know you or your condition, but if they give people drugs just for yelling screaming and kicking sh*t than damn. Calm the **** down if you don't wanna take that crap. my sister acted like that but she wasn't sick she was just a b*tch. I get mad,sad if its real bad I might even cry but why the **** would I wanna get drugged on **** that would make me wanna off my self.get a grip on ya emotions baby those pills are no good next time ya lose it take a toke n go on a hike/ jog takes all the anger right out
No because they don't work. If they did they would have the same or similar side effects as pharmaceuticals anyway, right?
Natural does not equal safe. Arsenic is natural.
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EDIT: @Dr T, lets see your best evidence for fish oil please.
No, if they are a medical doctor then no.